Michael Decker has spent the last twenty years founding, funding and building a succession of innovative technology companies quickly and efficiently. He grew his last company from zero to a valuation of £5m in less than a year, and when he exited as CEO the company was out raising money at a £20m valuation.He is passionate in believing that the key to success is to have the right product at the right time, and to be able to raise the initial finance to facilitate viability in the market. Michael Decker’s Specialties:New product development from incubator investment stage, particularly software and appliances. Founder, Net Expedite
(Privately Held; 1-10 employees; Internet industry) September 2006 — Present (1 year 7 months)Consultancy specialising in evaluating and advising hi-tech companies at early investment stage: Need help? If you’re innovative, passionate, and determined to grow your product, NetExpedite can help.Currently working/investing in:
- Eastern Europe opportunity in Czech Republic with Ostrava-based company; Cleveland Ohio defense industry startup with what appears to be revolutionary technology; London company specialising in novel AI applications; Barcelona startup with an authentication product for the banking industry.
(Privately Held; 11-50 employees; Computer Software industry) January 2003 — May 2006 (3 years 5 months)Grew Cryoserver from an idea into global vendor of forensic compliance appliances. Company was out raising money at a £20m valuation (its highest valuation) at time of standing down as CEO.Cryoserver is a software/hardware appliance that makes an audit copy of every email sent to, from and around an organisation. Customers range from the US and UK governments, to the Renault F1 team and the Rugby Football Union. Founder, Corporate Internet Ltd
(Privately Held; 11-50 employees; Internet industry) October 1997 — April 2006 (8 years 7 months)Built the company from zero to 35+ employees, exited April 2006Blurb from 2003: "Based at London Bridge, Corporate Internet Ltd is one of the City's leading Internet development houses, recruiting software developers (mainly from banking). Client list includes blue chip companies such as PriceWaterhouseCoopers, JPMorgan, Merrill Lynch, Schroders, Royal & SunAlliance and the Council of Mortgage Lenders, as well as some of the City’s largest accountancy and law firms: Norton Rose, Wilde Sapte, Chantry Vellacott, Simkins, Vizard Oldham, Theodore Goddard, Travis Smith Braithwaite. The company’s reputation rapidly spread beyond the City and led to major contracts with Manpower, UUNET, WorldCom and Warner-Lambert.Corporate Internet did the very first implementation of Siebel’s eChannel in Europe, the first IBM reseller shop in the UK, and the first to make SAP’s product talk effectively to a web browser. CI is a member of ISPA and is a Sun iForce development partner†Founder, Michael Decker Design
(Sole Proprietorship; 1-10 employees; Design industry) January 1987 — October 1997 (10 years 10 months)Product design engineer, profiled in TimeOut magazine by a full page colour feature in 1993 as one of London's hottest designers. Developed, patented and built several well-known products for various UK and global manufacturers. Infamous for designing improved letter press for the UK's largest print company that allowed junk mail to be printed faster and cheaper than before. For which he continues to apologise.Moved over to developing web software/design products in 1995, latterly concluding with a move to StreetsOnline as early investor/Creative Director. Company sold to Woolworths PLC for £17m in 2000.